Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......................................
OK, getting less serious for a moment <LOL>, here are some thoughts. On the de-TC'ing part, that was strictly my own preference. As I've only seen (and flown) a TC'd Aztec with an aftermarket system on one aircraft, I prefer the non-TC version, which is why I de-TC'd it. They do exist with the factory installed TC engines in this model so it's not inaccurate. I have kept one copy of the aircraft that still has the TC in it (and will use it). Unlike the Navajo, you do get a reduction in sound (if you hadn't, I was going to return it for a refund) from so-called full power (with the TC version) to climb power, so this de-TC'ing was, as I say, strictly a personal preference. With the Navajo, you need to be in the non-TC power region to get a reduction in power from takeoff to climb. That is what drove my decision on that aircraft because frankly, most of those were TC'd (mine went from the -310 to the -300 in the process).
In terms of how to de-TC the Aztec, it's actually very easy. In the aircraft.cfg, Piston Engine section, set your Turbocharged to =0 (1 means it is TC'd), set your critical altitude to 0 and max manifold pressure to 0. Very unlike the Navajo, everything else seemed to fall into place and I get pretty good numbers without making any drag or power mods. It takes all of a minute to do once you know what to look for. The only "anomaly" is that your MAP gauge has a redline on it, and it's at a ridiculous 46". I don't notice that after a bit and frankly in the bush, have seen "inappropriate" gauges subbed out for what should be there. You wouldn't want to go the other way though because that redline is important in the TC version.
Still on the power, they have max power set at 34" even though the redline is at 46". I am not at all convinced that is correct. One fellow here (and I won't mention Bob's name
) has brought the max power up to somewhere where I think it should be (somewhere around 45" or so, I think) and made some mods to get the speeds and performance back in line. Max cruise power is 34" which is where Alabeo has that airplane maxed out to. I just don't think that's right (same deal in the Navajo, and I'm not buying that one either. Mind you, I'm never wrong, right??
Right!)
Don, on the repainting - I do like to dream, but you, my friend, are dreaming in technicolour! What I did was a straight colour swap from red and black to two-toned blue (my uncle's airplane's colours) and changed the reg. This one is no easier to repaint than the others. It is a bit easier to make colour selections because the background is a medium gray so the actual colours stand out better. But there are still really stupid things, like the spinners being on the fuselage panel and part of the fuselage on the engines/wings panel. You can swap colours, but that's about it with any reasonable amount of effort.
Now, I have to say, I'm of Dave's mindset, all evidence to the contrary. It turns my stomach to give these bastards (Alabeo/Carenado) a single more of my pennies, never mind about 4800 of them (Canadian bucks). They don't deserve it. The cut corners, they cheat and they don't give a crap what the customer thinks or wants. They release with incredibly obvious bugs that are extremely easy to fix, and I strongly suspect have fixed them before the airplane is ever released but held back. Then when people complain about something, it takes no effort to release a patch, making it APPEAR as though they are listening. Case in point - on the autopilot, the Pitch rocker switch doesn't move when you click on it. It works, but it doesn't move. Tell me nobody saw that in beta?
Tell me THEY didn't see it themselves??? They know about it and have already got a fix for it; and you'll see it in the first (and I'm sure, only) patch. Cyncial? You bet, but the circumstantial evidence against them is overwhelming. I haven't found too much else yet, other than the usual, like the electrical system does not reflect in the ammeter, and the battery is still discharging based on the current draw (they still, after all these years, and all the times they have been told, have no clue what the difference is between an ammeter and a load meter; nor do they give a rat's ass, and THAT is the part that pisses me off royally!!). So, why did I get this one? Well, truth is, I have flown the Comanche and Aztec IRL and became very fond of both. Both, along with the Navajo are in the light GA aircraft category and when it comes to common-place twins, we are really lacking in those in FSX. That's why I got it (that, and (sadly) Carenado/Alabeo are the only ones doing the common-place, vintage aircraft anymore in this sim). More further down. Those 3 airplanes are vintage aircraft (my era) which I like, and they would make for a superb light air taxi fleet (look for that down the road). That, and those airplanes are all great at international airports and "That's-an-Airport(
) Field" alike. I've flown an Aztec C out of Toronto International and a D off gravel strips in the far north, and they are equally at home in both. That, for me, is pretty hard to resist, and frankly, came at a good time for me as I was seeing my interest in FSX dwindle to a barely flickering flame of late. This airplane (not the manufacturer) has breathed some new life into this sim for me.
OK, so for the upside. As expected, the airplane is beautiful to look at (with the exception of that stupid throttle quadrant, but they are out there, so...). I have to admit to having a heightened sense of immersiveness in that airplane, no doubt from having flown the real thing (albeit not that model). The flight dynamics are superb, even to the point where when you apply full power, the nose rises just a bit from the acceleration (equal and opposite reaction and all that). That's new in FS, except maybe for PMDG, and I'm not even sure about that. These dynamics are among the best I've seen in this class of airplane. I do think it climbs a bit nose high for the speed, but that's a very minor point. Overall, I quite like it. Colour changes are fairly easy to make on this one (not schemes though, as mentioned above) and the performance seems about right. For those looking for a light twin that isn't fast but can fill a very utilitarian role, this one is a good bet. But that said, I can't imagine any more Alabeo products that interest me enough to lay out $48 for what still is a bug ridden product (the GTN helps alleviate many of their systems glitches) with bugs that they know full well about prior to release. I have less of a problem with their aircraft than I do with their "business model".
Hope that is of some use. My disclaimer - I only have a half hour in this airplane. There may be a whole host of issues I haven't found yet. I may end up hating the thing and uninstalling it (only to reinstall it a week later
). Take what is important to you from this, but don't base your entire decision on my comments here. But I'm sure you know that already
.
LOL!
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Right!)